Mass extinctions and supernova explosions

TL;DR

This paper explores how nearby supernova explosions and gamma-ray bursts could have contributed to mass extinctions on Earth through mechanisms like ozone depletion, atmospheric changes, and climate cooling.

Contribution

It analyzes potential impacts of supernovae and gamma-ray bursts on Earth's biosphere, highlighting their possible role in past extinction events.

Findings

Supernovae can cause ozone depletion and climate cooling.

Gamma-ray bursts have a low probability but could impact Earth's history.

Multiple extinction events might be linked to cosmic phenomena.

Abstract

A nearby supernova (SN) explosion could have negatively influenced life on Earth, maybe even been responsible for mass extinctions. Mass extinction poses a significant extinction of numerous species on Earth, as recorded in the paleontologic, paleoclimatic, and geological record of our planet. Depending on the distance between the Sun and the SN, different types of threats have to be considered, such as ozone depletion on Earth, causing increased exposure to the Sun's ultraviolet radiation, or the direct exposure of lethal x-rays. Another indirect effect is cloud formation, induced by cosmic rays in the atmosphere which result in a drop in the Earth's temperature, causing major glaciations of the Earth. The discovery of highly intensive gamma ray bursts (GRBs), which could be connected to SNe, initiated further discussions on possible life-threatening events in Earth's history. The probability that GRBs hit the Earth is very low. Nevertheless, a past interaction of Earth with GRBs and/or SNe cannot be excluded and might even have been responsible for past extinction events.